Season 14 Episode 37

Dr. Wayne Riback on preventive healthcare and medical aid costs

19 August 2026 · 12:47 min

Preventive healthcare can reduce medical scheme costs by identifying silent conditions before they become serious, complex, and expensive to treat.

Dr. Wayne Riback, Chief Medical Officer of Medshield Medical Scheme, explains why South Africans should use the screening and wellness benefits… already included in their medical cover. He discusses how late intervention affects patient outcomes, increases claim costs, and places pressure on the entire medical scheme risk pool.

The conversation covers common barriers to preventive care, including limited awareness, affordability concerns, and the assumption that feeling healthy means no screening is needed. Dr. Riback explains how blood pressure checks, fasting glucose tests, cholesterol screening, and waist measurements can identify risks such as diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome early.

He also outlines how proactive healthcare can support longer, healthier lives while helping schemes manage contributions and preserve member benefits. For South African medical aid members, the message is clear: early action benefits both the individual and everyone sharing the risk pool.

0:00 Intro
1:22 What late medical intervention means
2:27 Why members avoid health screenings
5:23 How delayed care increases medical aid costs
8:06 The benefits of preventive healthcare
10:20 Essential health checks for your 40s

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